Goji Berries in the Permaculture Garden
If you’ve been looking for a tough, productive shrub that earns its space in a permaculture design, goji berry (Lycium barbarum) deserves serious consideration.
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Kitchen Garden
The Best Berries to Grow in Cold Climates
Long before the first vegetable garden was planted in the rocky soil of Scandinavia, the forests and bogs of the north were already generous. People who lived here — through short summers and long, cold winters — learned to read the land like a map, knowing exactly where the lingonberries would ripen on the hillside, where the cloudberries glowed gold in the bog, and when the bilberries would be fat and dark on the heath. Berries were not a seasonal treat. They were survival.
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Can You Grow Carrots in a Container?
The short answer is yes. The more interesting answer is: carrots in containers might actually be one of the smartest moves you can make as a cold-climate gardener — especially when you approach it through the lens of permaculture.
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Why Every Cold Climate Gardener Needs a Trellis
The answer, it turned out, had been right in front of me all along. A trellis. It sounds almost too simple, doesn’t it? But training plants to grow vertically along a support structure completely changed how I use my space.
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How to Make an Apple Orchard in Your Backyard
There’s something timeless about walking through an apple orchard—the sight of branches heavy with fruit, the scent of blossoms in spring, and the promise of crisp, sweet harvests in autumn. And the good this is, you don’t need acres of farmland to enjoy this experience. With thoughtful planning, even a modest backyard can be transformed into a thriving apple orchard.
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Growing Black Elder for Food and Medicine
When it comes to plants that are as beautiful as they are useful, the black elder (Sambucus nigra) deserves a special spot in the cold-climate garden. With its frothy clusters of white spring blossoms and the heavy trusses of dark berries that follow, elder is more than just an ornamental shrub.
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How to Succeed in Growing Cucumbers
Crisp, juicy cucumbers are one of summer’s greatest rewards—and yes, you can grow them successfully in a container in a cooler climate. So, there is no excuses for not growing them, even if your garden is on a balcony or a tiny patio. With a few smart choices and natural care methods, you’ll be crunching into your homegrown cucumbers in no time.
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Raised Bed Garden Ideas
Urban living doesn’t have to mean giving up on fresh, homegrown food. Raised bed gardening is a perfect solution for people living in the city who want to grow edible plants in a small space. Whether you’re starting from scratch or improving an existing setup, here are some practical, sustainable raised bed garden ideas to help you get started.
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Goumi Berry: The Unsung Hero of the Permaculture Garden
If you’re building a low-maintenance permaculture garden in a cold climate, goumi berries (Elaeagnus multiflora) might just become your new best friend. These hardy shrubs check nearly every box: they’re resilient, multifunctional, beautiful, and edible.
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Tips for Growing the Best Loganberry
If you’re looking to grow your own delicious berries in an urban garden, the loganberry is an excellent choice. This unique hybrid—part raspberry, part blackberry—produces juicy, tangy berries that are perfect for fresh eating, jams, and desserts.
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How to Plant Carrot Seeds
Growing your own food is an incredibly rewarding experience, and carrots are a fantastic choice for urban gardeners with limited space. They’re easy to grow, require minimal maintenance, and add a fresh, homegrown touch to your meals.
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The Ultimate Carrot Growing Guide
Carrots are one of the most beloved and versatile root vegetables around the world. Whether you’re munching on crunchy raw sticks, adding vibrant color to your soups, or savoring their natural sweetness in baked goods, carrots are a staple in many kitchens.
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Create Your Own Raised Bed Garden
If you’ve ever dreamed of growing your own fresh, organic food but thought you didn’t have the space, time or knowledge, a raised bed garden might be the perfect solution. Raised beds can make gardening easy, efficient, and productive—even for beginners!
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Gardening for Beginners: How to Start Your Own Organic Garden
If you’ve just purchased a home in a temperate climate and have a small backyard or other space to start a garden, you can create an organic garden to grow some of your own food. Even though starting a garden can feel overwhelming, even beginners can create a thriving, low-maintenance garden that provides fresh food year after year.
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How to Make a Mosquito-Repellent Patio Planter the Permaculture Way
Do you love spending time on your patio but hate the constant battle with mosquitoes? An easy solution would be to spray yourself down with a chemical mosquito repellant! But if you are anything like me you might be a bit worried about what all those chemicals might do to your body.
There must be a better way, right?
